2017 Edition

Background

Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French demarcated the region of Lebanon in 1920 and granted this area independence in 1943. Since independence the country has been marked by periods of political turmoil interspersed with prosperity built on its position as a regional center for finance and trade. The country's 1975-90 civil war that resulted in an estimated 120,000 fatalities, was followed by years of social and political instability. Sectarianism is a key element of Lebanese political life. Neighboring Syria has historically influenced Lebanon's foreign policy and internal policies, and its military occupied Lebanon from 1976 until 2005. The Lebanon-based Hizballah militia and Israel continued attacks and counterattacks against each other after Syria's withdrawal, and fought a brief war in 2006. Lebanon's borders with Syria and Israel remain unresolved.

Area

10,400 sq km 10,230 sq km 170 sq km

land

10,230 sq km

total

10,400 sq km

water

170 sq km

Area - comparative

about one-third the size of Maryland

Climate

Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; the Lebanon Mountains experience heavy winter snows

Coastline

225 km

Elevation

1,250 m lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Qornet es Saouda 3,088 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point

Qornet es Saouda 3,088 m

mean elevation

1,250 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Beirut from vehicular traffic and the burning of industrial wastes; pollution of coastal waters from raw sewage and oil spills

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation

Geographic coordinates

33 50 N, 35 50 E

Geography - note

smallest country in continental Asia; Nahr el Litani is the only major river in Near East not crossing an international boundary; rugged terrain historically helped isolate, protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion, clan, and ethnicity

Irrigated land

1,040 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

484 km Israel 81 km, Syria 403 km

border countries (2)

Israel 81 km, Syria 403 km

total

484 km

Land use

63.3% arable land 11.9%; permanent crops 12.3%; permanent pasture 39.1% 13.4% 23.3% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

63.3%

forest

13.4%

other

23.3% (2011 est.)

Location

Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

12 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

earthquakes; dust storms, sandstorms

Natural resources

limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region, arable land

Population - distribution

the majority of the people live on or near the Mediterranean coast, and of these most live in and around the capital, Beirut; favorable growing conditions in the Bekaa Valley, on the southeastern side of the Lebanon Mountains, have attracted farmers and thus the area exhibits a smaller population density

Terrain

narrow coastal plain; El Beqaa (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains

Age structure

24.09% (male 768,282/female 732,773) 16.42% (male 523,380/female 499,582) 44.79% (male 1,412,114/female 1,378,464) 7.91% (male 232,198/female 260,685) 6.78% (male 183,995/female 238,321) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

24.09% (male 768,282/female 732,773)

15-24 years

16.42% (male 523,380/female 499,582)

25-54 years

44.79% (male 1,412,114/female 1,378,464)

55-64 years

7.91% (male 232,198/female 260,685)

65 years and over

6.78% (male 183,995/female 238,321) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

14.3 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

54.5% (2009)

Death rate

5 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

47.3 35.3 8.3 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

12

potential support ratio

8.3 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

47.3

youth dependency ratio

35.3

Drinking water source

urban: 99% of population rural: 99% of population total: 99% of population urban: 1% of population rural: 1% of population total: 1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

1% of population

total

1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

1% of population

Education expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1% many Christian Lebanese do not identify themselves as Arab but rather as descendants of the ancient Canaanites and prefer to be called Phoenicians

note

many Christian Lebanese do not identify themselves as Arab but rather as descendants of the ancient Canaanites and prefer to be called Phoenicians

Health expenditures

6.4% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

2,200 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

3.5 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

7.4 deaths/1,000 live births 7.8 deaths/1,000 live births 7 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

7 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

7.8 deaths/1,000 live births

total

7.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian

Life expectancy at birth

77.8 years 76.5 years 79.1 years (2017 est.)

female

79.1 years (2017 est.)

male

76.5 years

total population

77.8 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 93.9% 96% 91.8% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

91.8% (2015 est.)

male

96%

total population

93.9%

Major urban areas - population

BEIRUT (capital) 2.226 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

15 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

30.5 years 29.9 years 31.1 years (2017 est.)

female

31.1 years (2017 est.)

male

29.9 years

total

30.5 years

Nationality

Lebanese (singular and plural) Lebanese

adjective

Lebanese

noun

Lebanese (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

-20.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

32% (2016)

Physicians density

2.38 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

6,229,794 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

the majority of the people live on or near the Mediterranean coast, and of these most live in and around the capital, Beirut; favorable growing conditions in the Bekaa Valley, on the southeastern side of the Lebanon Mountains, have attracted farmers and thus the area exhibits a smaller population density

Population growth rate

-1.1% (2017 est.)

Religions

Muslim 54% (27% Sunni, 27% Shia), Christian 40.5% (includes 21% Maronite Catholic, 8% Greek Orthodox, 5% Greek Catholic, 6.5% other Christian), Druze 5.6%, very small numbers of Jews, Baha'is, Buddhists, Hindus, and Mormons 18 religious sects recognized (2012 est.)

note

18 religious sects recognized (2012 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 80.7% of population rural: 80.7% of population total: 80.7% of population urban: 19.3% of population rural: 19.3% of population total: 19.3% of population (2015 est.)

rural

19.3% of population

total

19.3% of population (2015 est.)

urban

19.3% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 12 years 11 years (2014)

female

11 years (2014)

male

12 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.88 male(s)/female 0.79 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.05 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.02 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.88 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.79 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.72 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

22.1% 22.3% 21.6% (2007 est.)

female

21.6% (2007 est.)

male

22.3%

total

22.1%

Urbanization

88% of total population (2017) -0.57% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

-0.57% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

88% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

8 governorates (mohafazat, singular - mohafazah); Aakkar, Baalbek-Hermel, Beqaa (Bekaa), Beyrouth (Beirut), Liban-Nord (North Lebanon), Liban-Sud (South Lebanon), Mont-Liban (Mount Lebanon), Nabatiye

Capital

Beirut 33 52 N, 35 30 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

33 52 N, 35 30 E

name

Beirut

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no the father must be a citizen of Lebanon yes unknown

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

the father must be a citizen of Lebanon

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

unknown

Constitution

drafted 15 May 1926, adopted 23 May 1926 proposed by the president of the republic and introduced as a government bill to the Chamber of Deputies or proposed by at least 10 members of the Chamber of Deputies and agreed upon by two-thirds of its members; following government review and approval, the proposal is prepared as a draft amendment and submitted to the Chamber of Deputies for discussion and vote; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of a required two-thirds quorum of the chamber membership and promulgation by the president; amended several times, last in 2004 (2016)

amendments

proposed by the president of the republic and introduced as a government bill to the Chamber of Deputies or proposed by at least 10 members of the Chamber of Deputies and agreed upon by two-thirds of its members; following government review and approval, the proposal is prepared as a draft amendment and submitted to the Chamber of Deputies for discussion and vote; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of a required two-thirds quorum of the chamber membership and promulgation by the president; amended several times, last in 2004 (2016)

history

drafted 15 May 1926, adopted 23 May 1926

Country name

Lebanese Republic Lebanon Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah Lubnan Greater Lebanon derives from the Semitic root "lbn" meaning "white" and refers to snow-capped Mount Lebanon

conventional long form

Lebanese Republic

conventional short form

Lebanon

etymology

derives from the Semitic root "lbn" meaning "white" and refers to snow-capped Mount Lebanon

former

Greater Lebanon

local long form

Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah

local short form

Lubnan

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Elizabeth H. RICHARD (since 17 May 2016) Awkar, Lebanon (Awkar facing the Municipality) P. O. Box 70-840, Antelias, Lebanon; from US: US Embassy Beirut, 6070 Beirut Place, Washington, DC 20521-6070 [961] (4) 542600, 543600 [961] (4) 544136

chief of mission

Ambassador Elizabeth H. RICHARD (since 17 May 2016)

embassy

Awkar, Lebanon (Awkar facing the Municipality)

FAX

[961] (4) 544136

mailing address

P. O. Box 70-840, Antelias, Lebanon; from US: US Embassy Beirut, 6070 Beirut Place, Washington, DC 20521-6070

telephone

[961] (4) 542600, 543600

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaries Carla JAZZAR (since 28 January 2016) 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 939-6300 [1] (202) 939-6324 Detroit, New York, Los Angeles

chancery

2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaries Carla JAZZAR (since 28 January 2016)

consulate(s) general

Detroit, New York, Los Angeles

FAX

[1] (202) 939-6324

telephone

[1] (202) 939-6300

Executive branch

President Michel AWN (since 31 October 2016) Prime Minister (vacant); note - Saad al-HARIRI resigned on 4 November 2017; Deputy Prime Minister Ghassan HASBANI (since 18 December 2016) Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president and National Assembly president indirectly elected by the National Assembly with two-thirds majority vote in the first round and if needed absolute majority vote in a second round for a 6-year term (eligible for non-consecutive terms); last held on 31 October 2016 (next to be held in 2022); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president in consultation with the National Assembly Michel AWN elected president in second round; National Assembly vote - Michel AWN (FPM) 83; note - in the initial election held on 23 April 2014, no candidate received the required two-thirds vote, and subsequent attempts failed because the Assembly lacked the necessary quorum to hold a vote; the president was finally elected in its 46th attempt on 31 October 2016

cabinet

Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president and National Assembly

chief of state

President Michel AWN (since 31 October 2016)

election results

Michel AWN elected president in second round; National Assembly vote - Michel AWN (FPM) 83; note - in the initial election held on 23 April 2014, no candidate received the required two-thirds vote, and subsequent attempts failed because the Assembly lacked the necessary quorum to hold a vote; the president was finally elected in its 46th attempt on 31 October 2016

elections/appointments

president indirectly elected by the National Assembly with two-thirds majority vote in the first round and if needed absolute majority vote in a second round for a 6-year term (eligible for non-consecutive terms); last held on 31 October 2016 (next to be held in 2022); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president in consultation with the National Assembly

head of government

Prime Minister (vacant); note - Saad al-HARIRI resigned on 4 November 2017; Deputy Prime Minister Ghassan HASBANI (since 18 December 2016)

Flag description

three horizontal bands consisting of red (top), white (middle, double width), and red (bottom) with a green cedar tree centered in the white band; the red bands symbolize blood shed for liberation, the white band denotes peace, the snow of the mountains, and purity; the green cedar tree is the symbol of Lebanon and represents eternity, steadiness, happiness, and prosperity

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

Court of Cassation or Supreme Court (organized into 8 chambers, each with a presiding judge and 2 associate judges); Constitutional Council (consists of 10 members) Court of Cassation judges appointed by Supreme Judicial Council, a 10-member body headed by the chief justice, and includes other judicial officials; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Council members appointed - 5 by the Council of Ministers and 5 by parliament; members serve 5-year terms Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; specialized tribunals, religious courts; military courts

highest court(s)

Court of Cassation or Supreme Court (organized into 8 chambers, each with a presiding judge and 2 associate judges); Constitutional Council (consists of 10 members)

judge selection and term of office

Court of Cassation judges appointed by Supreme Judicial Council, a 10-member body headed by the chief justice, and includes other judicial officials; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Council members appointed - 5 by the Council of Ministers and 5 by parliament; members serve 5-year terms

subordinate courts

Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; specialized tribunals, religious courts; military courts

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil law based on the French civil code, Ottoman legal tradition, and religious laws covering personal status, marriage, divorce, and other family relations of the Jewish, Islamic, and Christian communities

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Nuwab in Arabic or Assemblee Nationale in French (128 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by majority vote; members serve 4-year terms); note - seats are apportioned among the Christian and Muslim denominations Lebanon’s Constitution states the National Assembly cannot conduct regular business until it elects a president when the position is vacant last held on 7 June 2009 (next originally scheduled in 2014, but postponed till 2018) percent of vote by coalition - March 8 Coalition 54.7%, March 14 Coalition 45.3%; seats by coalition - March 14 Coalition 71; March 8 Coalition 57; seats by coalition following 16 July 2012 byelection held to fill one seat - March 14 Coalition 72, March 8 Coalition 56

description

unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Nuwab in Arabic or Assemblee Nationale in French (128 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by majority vote; members serve 4-year terms); note - seats are apportioned among the Christian and Muslim denominations

election results

percent of vote by coalition - March 8 Coalition 54.7%, March 14 Coalition 45.3%; seats by coalition - March 14 Coalition 71; March 8 Coalition 57; seats by coalition following 16 July 2012 byelection held to fill one seat - March 14 Coalition 72, March 8 Coalition 56

elections

last held on 7 June 2009 (next originally scheduled in 2014, but postponed till 2018)

note

Lebanon’s Constitution states the National Assembly cannot conduct regular business until it elects a president when the position is vacant

National anthem

"Kulluna lil-watan" (All Of Us, For Our Country!) Rachid NAKHLE/Wadih SABRA adopted 1927; chosen following a nationwide competition

lyrics/music

Rachid NAKHLE/Wadih SABRA

name

"Kulluna lil-watan" (All Of Us, For Our Country!)

note

adopted 1927; chosen following a nationwide competition

National holiday

Independence Day, 22 November (1943)

National symbol(s)

cedar tree; national colors: red, white, green

cedar tree; national colors

red, white, green

Political parties and leaders

Future Movement Bloc [Sa'ad al-HARIRI] Kata'ib Party [Sami GEMAYEL] Lebanese Forces or LF [Samir JA'JA] Marada Movement [Sulayman FRANJIEH] Social Democrat Hunshaqian Party [Sebouh KELPAKIAN] Amal Movement [Nabih BERRI] Ba’th Arab Socialist Party of Lebanon [Fayez SHUKR] Free Patriotic Movement or FPM [Gibran BASSIL] Hizballah [Hassan NASRALLAH] Islamic Actions Front [Sheikh Zuhair al-JU’AYD] Marada Movement [Sulayman FRANJIEH] Syrian Social Nationalist Party [Ali QANSO] Tashnag or Armenian Revolutionary Federation [Hagop PAKRADOUNIAN] Progressive Socialist Party or PSP [Walid JUNBLATT]

Independent

Progressive Socialist Party or PSP [Walid JUNBLATT]

March 14 Coalition

Future Movement Bloc [Sa'ad al-HARIRI]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Grand Mufti of Lebanon [Sheikh Abdul Latif DERIAN] Maronite Church [Patriarch Moran Mor Bechora Boutros al-RAHI] most sects retain militias and a number of Sunni militant groups operate in Palestinian refugee camps

note

most sects retain militias and a number of Sunni militant groups operate in Palestinian refugee camps

Suffrage

21 years of age; compulsory for all males; authorized for women at age 21 with elementary education; excludes military personnel

Agriculture - products

citrus, grapes, tomatoes, apples, vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco; sheep, goats

Budget

$9.923 billion $14.87 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$14.87 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$9.923 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-9.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

3.5% (31 December 2010) 10% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

8.35% (31 December 2016 est.) 7.09% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-9.382 billion (2016 est.) $-8.051 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$36.6 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $35.11 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Economy - overview

Lebanon has a free-market economy and a strong laissez-faire commercial tradition. The government does not restrict foreign investment; however, the investment climate suffers from red tape, corruption, arbitrary licensing decisions, complex customs procedures, high taxes, tariffs, and fees, archaic legislation, and weak intellectual property rights. The Lebanese economy is service-oriented; main growth sectors include banking and tourism. The 1975-90 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and derailed Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. Following the civil war, Lebanon rebuilt much of its war-torn physical and financial infrastructure by borrowing heavily, mostly from domestic banks, which saddled the government with a huge debt burden. Pledges of economic and financial reforms made at separate international donor conferences during the 2000s have mostly gone unfulfilled, including those made during the Paris III Donor Conference in 2007, following the July 2006 war. Spillover from the Syrian conflict, including the influx of more than 1.1 million registered Syrian refugees, has increased internal tension and slowed economic growth to the 1-2% range in 2011-16, after four years of averaging 8% growth. Syrian refugees have increased the labor supply, but are blamed for pushing more Lebanese into unemployment. Chronic fiscal deficits have increased Lebanon’s debt-to-GDP ratio, the third highest in the world; most of the debt is held internally by Lebanese banks. Weak economic growth limits tax revenues, while the largest government expenditures remain debt servicing, salaries for government workers, and transfers to the electricity sector. These limitations constrain other government spending, limiting its ability to invest in necessary infrastructure improvements, such as water, electricity, and transportation.

Exchange rates

Lebanese pounds (LBP) per US dollar - 1,507.5 (2016 est.) 1,507.5 (2015 est.) 1,507.5 (2014 est.) 1,507.5 (2013 est.) 1,507.5 (2012 est.)

Exports

$3.689 billion (2016 est.) $3.551 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

jewelry, base metals, chemicals, consumer goods, fruit and vegetables, tobacco, construction minerals, electric power machinery and switchgear, textile fibers, paper

Exports - partners

South Africa 21.1%, Saudi Arabia 9%, UAE 8%, Syria 6.7%, Iraq 5.4% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

85.9% 13.2% 20.3% 0.5% 26.5% -46.5% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

26.5%

government consumption

13.2%

household consumption

85.9%

imports of goods and services

-46.5% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

20.3%

investment in inventories

0.5%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

5.7% 21% 73.3% (2016 est.)

agriculture

5.7%

industry

21%

services

73.3% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$19,100 (2016 est.) $19,000 (2015 est.) $18,900 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1% (2016 est.) 0.8% (2015 est.) 2% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$50.46 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$85.11 billion (2016 est.) $83.2 billion (2015 est.) $81.64 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

4.7% of GDP (2016 est.) 2.5% of GDP (2015 est.) -1.8% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$17.33 billion (2016 est.) $16.71 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum products, cars, medicinal products, clothing, meat and live animals, consumer goods, paper, textile fabrics, tobacco, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals

Imports - partners

China 11.2%, Italy 7.5%, US 6.3%, Germany 6.2%, Greece 5.7%, Egypt 4.1% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

1.4% (2016 est.)

Industries

banking, tourism, food processing, wine, jewelry, cement, textiles, mineral and chemical products, wood and furniture products, oil refining, metal fabricating

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.8% (2016 est.) -3.8% (2015 est.)

Labor force

2.166 million excludes as many as 1 million foreign workers and refugees (2016 est.)

note

excludes as many as 1 million foreign workers and refugees (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

NA% NA% NA%

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$11.22 billion (30 December 2014 est.) $10.54 billion (30 December 2013 est.) $10.42 billion (28 December 2012 est.)

Population below poverty line

28.6% (2004 est.)

Public debt

146.6% of GDP (2016 est.) 140.4% of GDP (2015 est.) data cover central government debt, and exclude debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment

note

data cover central government debt, and exclude debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$54.04 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $48.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$54.68 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $52.15 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$104 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $97.05 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$6.739 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $5.998 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

19.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

16 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

15.66 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

87.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

12.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

268 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2.337 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

17.32 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

150.1 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

150.1 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

143,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

148,800 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

7 TV stations, 1 of which is state owned; more than 30 radio stations, 1 of which is state owned; satellite and cable TV services available; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are accessible through partner stations (2007)

Internet country code

.lb

Internet users

4,747,542 76.1% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

76.1% (July 2016 est.)

total

4,747,542

Telephone system

repair of the telecommunications system, severely damaged during the civil war, now complete two mobile-cellular networks provide good service; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership about 95 per 100 persons country code - 961; submarine cable links to Cyprus, Egypt, and Syria; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean); coaxial cable to Syria (2016)

domestic

two mobile-cellular networks provide good service; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership about 95 per 100 persons

general assessment

repair of the telecommunications system, severely damaged during the civil war, now complete

international

country code - 961; submarine cable links to Cyprus, Egypt, and Syria; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean); coaxial cable to Syria (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

1.068 million 17 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

17 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

1.068 million

Telephones - mobile cellular

4,890,534 78 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

78 (July 2016 est.)

total

4,890,534

Airports

8 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

over 3,047 m

1

total

5

under 914 m

1 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

2

total

3

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

OD (2016)

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 4, cargo 7, carrier 17, vehicle carrier 1 2 (Syria 2) 34 (Barbados 2, Cambodia 5, Comoros 2, Egypt 1, Georgia 1, Honduras 2, Liberia 1, Malta 6, Moldova 1, Panama 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Sierra Leone 2, Togo 6, unknown 1) (2010)

by type

bulk carrier 4, cargo 7, carrier 17, vehicle carrier 1

foreign-owned

2 (Syria 2)

registered in other countries

34 (Barbados 2, Cambodia 5, Comoros 2, Egypt 1, Georgia 1, Honduras 2, Liberia 1, Malta 6, Moldova 1, Panama 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Sierra Leone 2, Togo 6, unknown 1) (2010)

total

29

National air transport system

2,583,274 53,902,026 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

53,902,026 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

2,583,274

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

21

number of registered air carriers

2

Pipelines

gas 88 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Beirut, Tripoli Beirut (1,034,249)

container port(s) (TEUs)

Beirut (1,034,249)

major seaport(s)

Beirut, Tripoli

Railways

401 km 319 km 1.435-m gauge 82 km 1.050-m gauge rail system is still unusable due to damage sustained from fighting in the 1980s and in 2006 (2017)

narrow gauge

82 km 1.050-m gauge

note

rail system is still unusable due to damage sustained from fighting in the 1980s and in 2006 (2017)

standard gauge

319 km 1.435-m gauge

total

401 km

Roadways

6,970 km (includes 170 km of expressways) (2005)

total

6,970 km (includes 170 km of expressways) (2005)

Military branches

Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF): Lebanese Army ((Al Jaysh al Lubnani) includes Lebanese Navy (Al Quwwat al Bahiriyya al Lubnaniya), Lebanese Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Lubnaniya)) (2013)

Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF)

Lebanese Army ((Al Jaysh al Lubnani) includes Lebanese Navy (Al Quwwat al Bahiriyya al Lubnaniya), Lebanese Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Lubnaniya)) (2013)

Military expenditures

4.76% of GDP (2015) 4.96% of GDP (2014) 4.36% of GDP (2013) 4.07% of GDP (2012) 4.06% of GDP (2011)

Military service age and obligation

17-30 years of age for voluntary military service; 18-24 years of age for officer candidates; no conscription (2013)

Disputes - international

lacking a treaty or other documentation describing the boundary, portions of the Lebanon-Syria boundary are unclear with several sections in dispute; since 2000, Lebanon has claimed Shab'a Farms area in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights; the roughly 2,000-strong UN Interim Force in Lebanon has been in place since 1978

Illicit drugs

Lebanon is a transit country for hashish, cocaine, heroin, and fenethylene; fenethylene, cannabis, hashish, and some opium are produced in the Bekaa Valley; small amounts of Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin transit country on way to European markets and for Middle Eastern consumption; money laundering of drug proceeds fuels concern that extremists are benefiting from drug trafficking

Refugees and internally displaced persons

1,001,051 (Syria); 6,454 (Iraq) (2016); 463,664 (Palestinian refugees) (2017) 12,000 (2007 Lebanese security forces' destruction of Palestinian refugee camp) (2016) undetermined (2016); note - tens of thousands of persons are stateless in Lebanon, including many Palestinian refugees and their descendants, Syrian Kurds denaturalized in Syria in 1962, children born to Lebanese women married to foreign or stateless men; most babies born to Syrian refugees, and Lebanese children whose births are unregistered

IDPs

12,000 (2007 Lebanese security forces' destruction of Palestinian refugee camp) (2016)

refugees (country of origin)

1,001,051 (Syria); 6,454 (Iraq) (2016); 463,664 (Palestinian refugees) (2017)

stateless persons

undetermined (2016); note - tens of thousands of persons are stateless in Lebanon, including many Palestinian refugees and their descendants, Syrian Kurds denaturalized in Syria in 1962, children born to Lebanese women married to foreign or stateless men; most babies born to Syrian refugees, and Lebanese children whose births are unregistered

Trafficking in persons

Lebanon is a source and destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking and a transit point for Eastern European women and children subjected to sex trafficking in other Middle Eastern countries; women and girls from South and Southeast Asia and an increasing number from East and West Africa are recruited by agencies to work in domestic service but are subject to conditions of forced labor; under Lebanon’s artiste visa program, women from Eastern Europe, North Africa, and the Dominican Republic enter Lebanon to work in the adult entertainment industry but are often forced into the sex trade; Lebanese children are reportedly forced into street begging and commercial sexual exploitation, with small numbers of Lebanese girls sex trafficked in other Arab countries; Syrian refugees are vulnerable to forced labor and prostitution Tier 2 Watch List – Lebanon does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in 2014, Lebanon was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; law enforcement efforts in 2014 were uneven; the number of convicted traffickers increased, but judges lack of familiarity with anti-trafficking law meant that many offenders were not brought to justice; the government relied heavily on an NGO to identify and provide service to trafficking victims; and its lack of thoroughly implemented victim identification procedures resulted in victims continuing to be arrested, detained, and deported for crimes committed as a direct result of being trafficked (2015)

current situation

Lebanon is a source and destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking and a transit point for Eastern European women and children subjected to sex trafficking in other Middle Eastern countries; women and girls from South and Southeast Asia and an increasing number from East and West Africa are recruited by agencies to work in domestic service but are subject to conditions of forced labor; under Lebanon’s artiste visa program, women from Eastern Europe, North Africa, and the Dominican Republic enter Lebanon to work in the adult entertainment industry but are often forced into the sex trade; Lebanese children are reportedly forced into street begging and commercial sexual exploitation, with small numbers of Lebanese girls sex trafficked in other Arab countries; Syrian refugees are vulnerable to forced labor and prostitution

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List – Lebanon does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in 2014, Lebanon was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; law enforcement efforts in 2014 were uneven; the number of convicted traffickers increased, but judges lack of familiarity with anti-trafficking law meant that many offenders were not brought to justice; the government relied heavily on an NGO to identify and provide service to trafficking victims; and its lack of thoroughly implemented victim identification procedures resulted in victims continuing to be arrested, detained, and deported for crimes committed as a direct result of being trafficked (2015)